Randhawa going great guns on tied 2nd, Jeev tied 13th in Dubai

Dubai, Feb 3 (UNI) Former Asian number one Jyoti Randhawa was in sublime form to leave the elite of golfing world including Tiger Woods behind as he finished tied second on the leaderboard after the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic here today.

Randhawa carded a five-under 67 and reeled off a hat trick of birdies on the last three holes from the 16th to leave Tiger Woods among others breathing down his neck. The Delhi-born lad also sank in birdies at the second, 10th and the 13th holes against a lone bogey on the seventh to take his total tally to 15-under 201.

After two ordinary rounds, Jeev Milkha Singh looked his former self when he blasted an identical five-under 67 but finshed tied 13th alongside five others due to his ordinary finishes earlier.

The UBS Asian Order of Merit winner was in his elements, firing in an ace on the 14th hole to boot with four birdies against a solitary bogey to end on a total score of ten-under 206.

Randhawa was placed fourth on 10-under with Britain Graeme McDowell and Peter Hanson of Sweden with Tiger Woods, who carded a 67, following closely on nine-under at the end of the second round.

Yesterday, play had to be halted for over two hours due to thunder storms at the Emirates Golf Club with as many as 48 players, including Randhawa and Jeev having to complete their second rounds today.

Randhawa shares the second spot with Britain's Ross Fisher and big-hitting Swede Henrik Stenson.

Meanwhile, three-times South African champion Ernie Els stayed on course to win the title for the record fourth time after winning it in 2005, 2002 and 1994 with a total 17-under 199 score to snatch the top spot from yesterday's surprise leader Fisher.

Defending champion Woods was on solitary fifth spot after carding a four-under 68 to end with a total tally of 14-under 202.

UNI